Rifle Correctional Center inmates safely evacuated due to growth of Lee fire
Courtesy of Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office
The Colorado Department of Corrections has successfully relocated 179 inmates from the Rifle Correctional Center in a precautionary response to the Lee fire in Rio Blanco County, according to a Sunday news release.
The inmates were moved to the Buena Vista Correctional Center, away from the fire-impacted area, at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, officials said. No injuries were reported as a result of the move.
Staff members are still on-site at the Rifle Correctional Center, working with local and state emergency officials to protect the facility, the release stated.
At 106,672 acres, the Lee fire is the sixth-largest blaze in Colorado history, eclipsing the High Park wildfire in 2012. Currently at 6% containment, it is the state’s largest wildfire since 2020.
Lee fire becomes 6th largest wildfire in Colorado history
Meeker self-evacuates as Elk and Lee fires grow to 75,000 combined acres
Colorado wildfires update: Burning slows as big blaze nears containment
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